Iain Clark’s inspired portraits of Alasdair Gray

11 Jul

Written By Tracy

Photographic artist Iain Clark shares his 2007 images of Alasdair and describes how he captured Alasdair at work in his natural habitat. Listen to Iain talking or read what he says.

An elderly tubby white man wearing a white shirt, black trousers and braces sits at a wooden desk covered in papers, scratching his head and holding a pen upright. The dimly room has shelves surrounding the desk filled with books and objects. — *Alasdair Gray scratching his head* © Iain Clark

An elderly tubby white man wearing a white shirt, black trousers and braces turns from a wooden desk to face us. The dimly lit room has papers scattered on the desk, and shelves filled with books and objects surrounding him. — *Alasdair Gray talking* © Iain Clark

Please introduce yourself to us?

My name is Iain Clark. I am a practicing photographic artist based in Glasgow. My work is in the permanent collection of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and numerous collections throughout the UK, Europe, United States and India.

My portraits have been described by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery as sitting somewhere between photography and painting. The camera and the photograph are only the beginning of the creative process. And the subsequent manipulation of the image creates a finished portrait which is intended to capture the essential person.

I'm fascinated by the human condition and the variety of faces that I see every day. I believe that each and every one of us is unique and special. When I work on a portrait, I strive to bring out something of the sitter's soul.

Tell us about your Inspired series and Alasdair?

I was commissioned to make the Inspired series as part of the Word Festival for the University of Aberdeen Writer’s Festival, in April 2007. The idea was to make portraits of writers having asked them to select an object that inspired them in their writing. I was intrigued to find out what they would choose and why. As writers are solitary creatures, I was interested to find out how they approached the process of writing. And I thought the object of choice would enable that conversation. I asked them to write an explanation of their chosen object, to be displayed along with the portraits.

Alasdair Gray was an obvious choice for the Inspired series. A titan amongst the Scottish literary and art establishment. An enigmatic figure - one glimpsed around the west end of Glasgow. An established legend. A man of myth. Part of the fixture and fittings of the Bohemian West End.

How did you get Alasdair to sit for the series?

I had had Alasdair in my sights for a while, but I didn't have his phone number and I knew that he didn't use a computer. So it was hard to track him down. My lucky break came one day, when I saw him walking towards me on Byers Road. His hands were clasped behind his back. He was deep in thought - looking at the ground as he walked along. I stopped him. Introduced myself. And asked him if he would be prepared to sit for a portrait as part of the Inspired series. His response was typically blunt. “I won't pose and you will have to come at night.” I explained that I like to work with natural light, so he said, “Well, you will have to come early in the morning.” It was duly arranged for 8am on Saturday the 17th of March. “Very well then,” he replied. And continued on his way.

The Saturday morning came and I arrived on time and knocked on the door of Alasdair's flat in Marchmont Terrace. There was a shuffling, then the sound of the door being unbolted. Oh my life! There he was in a calico Wee Willy Winky nightcap and full length sleeping gown. I had never seen anyone in such sleep attire. He had obviously forgotten our appointment. He led me into a studio and disappeared to get dressed. He returned in a short while. His hair was sticking up and he was pulling up the braces of his trousers. His shirt tail was hanging out.

An elderly tubby white man wearing a white shirt, black trousers and braces sits at a wooden desk with his back to us. Many books, objects and paintings are on the shelves behind him and the floor is wooden with a red Persian rug. — *Alasdair Gray working at home* © Iain Clark

Back of an old white man’s head with messy grey hair in front of shelves full of books, objects and a human skull. The old man’s face and a younger white man with a camera are reflected in a mirror behind the skull. — *Skull on shelf* © Iain Clark

How would you describe Alasdair’s creative process?

Stepping into Alasdair's home and workspace was like stepping into another world. His studio was in the large front room of his apartment. There were fitted bookcases on two of the walls, a desk by the window with paints and pots of brushes and some daffodils in a jam jar. There was another desk in the middle of a large bookcase that ran the length of the room. On the bookshelf above where he sat, there was a top part of a human skull. I asked him about it and he said it was a Memento Mori to remind him that life is short. He said that it had been given to him by a friend who was a nurse.

Alasdair was true to his word about not posing. He sat down to write at his desk and ignored me, as I prowled around him with my camera. I subsequently spent a thrilling morning in his company. Enjoying his tales and observing him at work.

When I asked him how he divided his time between writing and painting, he looked slightly puzzled. He then rose from his writing desk and wandered over to his painting desk and started drawing. I don't think he saw any separation between the two.

An elderly tubby white man wearing a white shirt, black trousers and braces sits at a wooden desk looking at papers and pulling at his left sleeve. The room is dimly lit by a lamp and shelves are filled with books and other objects. — *Alasdair Gray working at home* © Iain Clark

We look over the shoulder of an elderly tubby white man wearing a white shirt, black trousers and braces sits at a wooden desk drawing a mans face. The desk is dimly lit by a lamp and beyond him are papers and other objects. — *Alasdair Gray drawing* © Iain Clark

How would you describe Alasdair’s creative environment?

Alasdair was obviously very at ease in his environment and he had everything he needed at hand. It was set up to nourish his creative desires. It was his sanctuary. Being in Alasdair's studio was like peering inside his mind. The books, the paint, the brushes, the paintings, the skull.

Although Alasdair wasn't willing to fit into my own plans for the series, I realized that he had presented me with a unique opportunity to witness him in his natural habitat. He was trusting me and allowing my creativity free reign. I greatly appreciated that.

As far as choosing a single object, he was saying “This is me. This is how I make my work.”

His caption read…

“Well-designed things, natural or manufactured, usually make life pleasanter. Like good manners and other generosities.”

— Alasdair Gray

Which image was exhibited as part of the Inspired series?

Iain also photographed author Alison Miller for the exhibition and this is her reaction to seeing Alasdair’s image.

“Well I love the portrait of Alasdair Gray with his back to the camera with all the objects that he looks at and works with in front of him. I think it’s so completely Alasdair Gray you know it’s just unmistakable even though he has his back to the camera.”

— Alison Miller, Writer

Enjoy all Iain’s images of Alasdair

Iain's Inspired portrait series of Scottish Writers was exhibited in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow - which subsequently purchased all 33 images.

Use the forward and back arrows at the side of each photograph to enjoy all Iain’s images of Alasdair.

Alt text: An elderly tubby white man wearing a white shirt, black trousers and braces sits at a wooden desk in a large old room with his back to us. Many books, objects and paintings are on the shelves behind him and the floor is wooden with a red Persian rug.

Alt text: An old white man with messy hair, white shirt and black braces sits with his back to us writing at a wooden desk. In front of him are shelves full of books, objects and a human skull.

Alt text: Back of an old white man’s head with messy grey hair in front of shelves full of books, objects and a human skull. The old man’s face and a younger white man with a camera are reflected in a mirror behind the skull.

Alt text: Side view of an elderly tubby white man wearing a white shirt, black trousers and braces sitting at a wooden desk and writing intently on sheets of white paper. The room is dimly lit by a lamp and shelves are filled with books and other objects.

Alt text: Side view of an elderly tubby white man wearing a white shirt, black trousers and braces, sitting at a wooden desk covered in papers and his glasses and rubbing his left eye. The room is dimly lit by a lamp and shelves are filled with books and other objects.

Alt text: Side view of an elderly tubby white man wearing a white shirt, black trousers and braces sitting at a wooden desk covered in papers and scratches his head as though thinking. The room is dimly lit by a lamp and shelves are filled with books and other objects.

Alt text: Side view of an elderly tubby white man wearing a white shirt, black trousers and braces sitting at a wooden desk covered in papers. He is turning towards us and gesturing with his pen as though making a point. The room is dimly lit by a lamp and shelves are filled with books and other objects.

Alt text: Side view of an elderly tubby white man wearing a white shirt, black trousers and braces sitting at a wooden desk and looking intently down at the sheets of paper that cover it. The room is dimly lit by a lamp and shelves are filled with books and other objects.

Alt text: Closeup of an elderly tubby white man wearing a white shirt, black trousers and braces sitting at a wooden desk and writing intently on sheets of white paper. The room is dimly lit by a lamp and shelves are filled with books and other objects.

Alt text: Looking over the shoulder of an elderly tubby white man wearing a white shirt, black trousers and braces sits at a wooden desk drawing a mans face. The desk is dimly lit by a lamp and beyond him are papers and other objects.

Alt text: Black and white portrait of an elderly white man with glasses, messy hair, short grey beard and white shirt with black braces. He looks down at something. Lighting casts dramatic shadows across his face which is silhouetted against a black background.

Alt text: Black and white image from the side of an elderly tubby white man wearing a white shirt, black trousers and braces sitting at a wooden desk and writing intently on sheets of white paper. The room is dimly lit by a lamp and shelves are filled with books and other objects.

Visit A Gray’s place

Flattened 360 image of Alasdair Gray’s large old-fashioned front room with red ceiling and cream walls covered in books and pictures

Iain photographed Alasdair in his last home which was dismantled and sold after Alasdair died. But before that happened it was recorded digitally, so it could be recreated and everyone could visit.

To find out more about Alasdair’s last home and explore his creative space for yourself… visit A Gray’s place

Explore more…

Alasdair Gray a middle-aged white man with dishevelled hair and glasses poses dramatically in front of an easel with a painting and others in the background. He’s wearing a bright red shirt and tweed waistcoat and holds 2 old mugs and a milk carton.

Who is Alasdair Gray?

Personal insights into a genius Uncle.

An elderly white man wearing glasses sitting in a wheel chair reading in a room full of books and pictures.

Conversational inspiration

Conversations through books in the last year of Alasdair Gray’s life.

Middle-aged white man in a red shirt and grey 3-piece suit points dramatically with 1 hand and holds a small beer glass in the other. His clothes and hair are covered in different size words such as Imaginative, Truth, Generous, Curious, Exciting.

Heart is for our Gray DNA

How do Iain’s 3 words for Alasdair compare to our other Heart contributions?

External links…

2014 Inspired Exhibition watch a video about the Inspired exhibition

Iain Clark enjoy more of Iain’s inspiring photographs

Alison Miller find out more about this award-winning author

Tracy